Over the years, Tanya Grant was told she wouldn’t get her driver’s licence.
Determined to achieve her goals (and with a little extra motivation to prove those who doubted her wrong), she signed herself up for driving lessons and soon enough, passed her driving test.
Tanya knew that financially she couldn’t afford a new car without NDIS funding, and if she bought an older car, she knew it would need modifications to suit her needs, which would be expensive.
She reached out to her local Rotary Club in Townsville, where Membership Director Tim McKee connected her with Townsville Automotive Group (TAG). With their help and the help of an anonymous donation, bought Tanya and her family a brand new Haval Jolion SUV!
They knew the opportunity would be life-changing and wanted to help.
“As a family, they’ve never had a car. The parents are disabled so you could imagine how much of a challenge it must have been over the years with two young children.” Tim Mckee said.
Tanya’s support coordinator of two years, Liz Shaw, had confidence in her abilities and supported Tanya to achieve her goals.
“We walk with people on their journey and help them to achieve their goals by monitoring what is going on and ensuring they’re not being disadvantaged. It is important in our role as support coordinators to hold space for people to achieve goals independently without taking over or doing it for them.” Liz said.
Liz, who often organises car modifications to suit the needs of people we support, arranged for a spinner knob to be installed in the car to help Tanya steer more easily.
The amount of independence this has given Tanya and her family has been invaluable. Normally Tanya would have to consider public transport, timings, cost, and NDIS funding approval just to go and get school uniforms for her children, but her new modified car makes activities such as these much more convenient.
Tanya told Liz: “I had to get a new school uniform. I got in the car; we went there. And that was it.”
Her brand new wheels has reduced the amount of NDIS support Tanya needs, increased her independence and confidence and reduced her reliance on the NDIS, allowing her to put her NDIS plan to better use.
“This is what it’s all about, empowering the people we support,” Liz said
Liz’s story of determination and resilience is an inspiration to all of us to never to give up.
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